It was depressing, but not unexpected, to read this morning that George Zimmerman was found not guilty.
The “Stand Your Ground” law allows people to use deadly force on someone, then claim self defense. In an ideal sense, the concept applies to defending one’s home from an intruder.
In Florida, it means you can kill a young black man if you find him suspicious.
Zimmerman was not defending his home or his property. There was no threat to him.
Twilight Music continues its 11th annual Twilight On The Tavern Lawn series of folk, world beat, rock, jazz, zydeco, Celtic, swing, blues and bluegrass summer concerts on Sunday, July 14 with rock/folk/classical quintet Darlingside. The seven concert series continues every other Sunday through August 25. All concerts begin at 5:30 pm in downtown Putney on the Putney Tavern lawn (bring a lawn chair or blanket) or at Next Stage at 15 Kimball Hill in case of rain. The series is sponsored by the Town of Putney, Putney Food Co-Op, Soundview Paper Company, The Putney Inn, Next Stage Arts Project, The Stockwell Brothers and many other Putney businesses and organizations. The concerts are free to the public (donations are accepted) and food will be available.
Many readers here have probably read the viewpoint column I wrote and the Commons printed in their current issue. If not, here is the .
The basic gist is that if we can at all afford 14.1 million dollars for the police and fire facilities we can get much more for our money if we scale that project back some (but retain its most important features) and use the savings for economic development. The thrust of my views are that public safety is not a serious issue for now (tho it would be improved to a significant degree anyway under this plan) but the economy is. I will even argue that several million dollars poured into development and the creation of jobs will have greater and more salutary effect on public safety than an armored indoor loading dock for handling prisoners.
Burlington, VT. (July 12th, 2013)- This morning, on the steps of the Chittenden County Courthouse, Rep. Peter Welch unveiled legislation that would require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to inform Americans and protect their privacy as the agency issues operating licenses for unmanned aerial vehicles flying over the United States. The FAA estimates that 30,000 drones will be operating in the U.S. over the next 20 years.
Welch will introduce the legislation in the House of Representatives next week when he returns to Washington. He was joined at the press conference by ACLU of Vermont Executive Director Allen Gilbert.
At their next Tuesday meeting, the Brattleboro Selectboard will begin to spend big money on the Police-Fire Facility project with an $800,000 contract for architectural services and $290,000 for property on Church Street on the agenda.
The board will also form a committee to look at skating rink options, discuss the town website as well as local hiring, hire Lane Construction ofNorthfield, MA for paving, regulate food carts, and more. You can bring up other matters not on the agenda during public participation. Watch on BCTV or attend in person, and read all about it here afterwards.
There is a political battle going on at the northern end of Vermont that could have an impact on those of us down here. The Air Force would like to use South Burlington as a base for an expensive, loud new plane: the F-35.
How loud? 400% as loud as the F-16.
In 1975 Yes had already been together for 7 years. They didn’t make the “big time” until 1971’s “Fragile” album which was to establish them as first-class Progrockers. Their “Close to the Edge” in 1972 was a hit and their worldwide tour established them as arena-fillers.Though rarely on the top ten hits list, and with several different line-ups, they’ve been around now for 45 years and are currently touring the US in another incarnation.
This film is from the “Close to the Edge” tour in December1972, with songs from the album of the same name. The performances are at London’s Rainbow Theatre. The line-up is:
Jon Anderson- lead vocals
Chris Squire- bass, backup vocals
Happy Summer eBook reading and listening!
Brooks Memorial Library Offers New eAudio and Ebook Titles to download in its Overdrive Advantage collection and OneClickdigital collection.
This means the content is only for Brook Memorial Library patrons.
BRATTLEBORO UNION HIGH SCHOOL BOARD
53 Green Street
Brattleboro, VT 05301
www.wssu.k12.vt.us
NOTICE OF COMMITTEE MEETINGS
The BUHS #6 Finance Committee will meet at 7:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 24, 2013 in the WSESU Central Office Conference Room, 53 Green Street.
NOTICE OF MEETING
The BUHS #6 Board of Directors will meet at 7:00 p.m. on Monday, July 15 in the WRCC Cusick Conference Room.
Some Like it Hot to show July 25 at 7:00 p.m. Play it cool now to shed some warmth this winter
For Immediate Release – On July 25 at 7:00 p.m., Latchis Arts offers Some Like It Hot, another in their series of Movies-By-Donation, following Singin’ in the Rain and Bringing Up Baby.
Some Like It Hot is a Marilyn Monroe classic with Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon. When musicians Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon witness a mob hit, they hop a train disguised as women in an all-female band. Hottest real woman? Marilyn Monroe! This classic of comedy and romance has been a hit since 1959.
Just about all the bad things our governments do are defended with the claim that they are legal. But just because it is legal to do something, is it necessarily right? Anything can be made legal, after all.
We usually think of murder as being fundamentally wrong and almost certainly illegal, but it can be made legal in certain circumstances — as, for instance, when a drone kills dozens of innocents along with its alleged terrorist targets.
At the Brattleboro Selectboard’s July 16, 2013 meeting, the Board will consider for adoption a revised job description for the Town Manager’s position, and a job listing/ad for the soon to be vacant Brattleboro Town Manager position. and are now available for consideration and review by the public in anticipation of the July 16 Selectboard meeting.
Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100
Hello everyone!
Next Wednesday, the 17th at 7pm I will be reading from my historical novel Sackett at the Brooks Memorial Library in Brattleboro, and discussing the context of First Nation and colonial culture along the frontier of New England. Slideshow and refreshments included. Free.
You are all invited. Some enticement follows:
Brattleboro, VT 7/1/2013 – Irish-American folk music duo Young Ireland presents an evening of inspiring, original songs and storytelling at 7:00 pm on Sunday, July 28, 2013 at Hooker-Dunham Theatre (139 Main Street, Brattleboro, VT). All ages are welcome. Tickets are $15 and can be purchased in advance online at Brown Paper Tickets as well as at the door. (www.yibrattleboro.bpt.me, no service charge for online purchases). Proceeds in-part to benefit Brattleboro Area Hospice.
Young Ireland is a newcomer to the Irish music scene, based in San Luis Obispo, California. “Authentic!” hails Glen Starkey of the New Times, SLO. Diane Byrnes, veteran Irish radio host (“Echoes of Erin” Pittsburgh, PA) says “Huge success is just over the horizon for ‘Young Ireland’ and for those who love Irish music, ’Young Ireland’ is a testament to the strength and musicality of the ‘song’.”
The private drive into the Brattleboro Country Club from Upper Dummerston Road was recently named Senator Gannett Drive. A dedication ceremony is scheduled on Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at 12:00 noon at the Brattleboro Country Club. Governor Shumlin will be present for the dedication ceremony. The public is encouraged to attend.
Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100
Two bits of interesting business news today in Brattleboro.
First, it’s official, the Brooks House team has closed on the deal to finance the renovations and restoration of the historic downtown building. They should be given awards for being able to come up with the complex interconnection of financing ($24 million) that is making it possible. Work should start soon and a groundbreaking is scheduled for July 17.
Second, the rumors some have heard are true. Brown & Roberts has been sold. The Putnam family ends 40 years of family ownership with the sale.
Brattleboro area students are sending an important message to their peers this summer – stay Above the Influence – with the launch of the. ATI 802 features the faces and voices of Brattleboro area youth and showcases each individual student’s choice to rise above the influences of negative pressures to drink, do drugs or anything that goes against who you are in order to fit in.
The launch of this positive message media campaign is timed to reach youth during the summer break, when more free time and less adult supervision can increase the likelihood of exposure to dangers and substance use. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, more teens start drinking and smoking cigarettes and marijuana in June and July than any other months of the year.
WASHINGTON, July 10 – Skeptical of a bid to overhaul the tax code by corporate-friendly congressional tax writers, Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) today laid out his own specific proposals to raise revenue by closing loopholes that let multi-national corporations and oil companies avoid hundreds of billions of dollars in taxes.
Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., and Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., chairmen of the Senate Finance Committee and the House Ways and Means Committee, this summer launched a nationwide tour to hear what corporations want in a revamped tax code. Sanders said the tax code should be reformed to address the needs of the middle class and working families, reduce deficits and make profitable corporations and the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share.
The Brattleboro Tree Advisory Committee will hold a special meeting on Saturday, July 13, 2013 at 9:00am at the intersection of Clark and Canal Streets (near Agape Church). The Committee will discuss plantings in that area.
Jan Anderson
Executive Secretary
Brattleboro Town Manager’s Office
(802) 251-8100
The time has come to give the main theatre a big send off and we are going to do it up right, with a showcase of local musical talent never before seen on our stage!
We’re talking about Rock the Latchis! presenting four of the area’s top bands the day before the main theatre closes for renovations.
Yes, the last day is reserved for hot music and dancing in the aisles.
